What if there was a single molecule in your body quietly working, day in and day out, to keep your mind sharp, your memories intact, and your spirit clear?
There is.
It’s called Nerve Growth Factor, or NGF, and most people have never heard of it.
At Mushies, we became obsessed with NGF because of one very special mushroom: Lion’s Mane.
When we discovered that this mushroom could stimulate NGF production in the brain, everything changed. We realised that NGF wasn’t just some obscure molecule, it was a gateway to neurogenesis, mental clarity, and long-term cognitive health.
NGF might just be one of the most important molecules in your body. Especially if you care about ageing well, staying sharp, and keeping your inner spark alive.
Let’s take a closer look.
🌱 So, What Exactly Is NGF?
NGF is part of a special group of proteins called neurotrophins (literally, “nerve nourishment"). It’s basically like Miracle-Gro for your neurons.
Discovered in the 1950s by Nobel laureate Rita Levi-Montalcini, NGF was the first neurotrophin ever identified. It helps brain cells survive, grow, and connect with each other.
Without it, the intricate network of your nervous system begins to fray.
But NGF doesn’t just keep neurons alive. It helps them thrive. It tells them how to differentiate, where to grow, how to branch, and when to repair.
In the orchestra of the brain, NGF is the quiet conductor keeping harmony. Without it, things fall apart.
🧠 The Role of NGF in the Brain
From the earliest moments of life, NGF plays a critical role in building your nervous system.
It guides the development of sensory neurons, helps map out the wiring of your brain, and determines which neurons live and which die, shaping your mental landscape before you’ve even taken your first breath.
But NGF doesn’t stop after childhood.
Throughout your life, NGF continues to support a key group of brain cells called basal forebrain cholinergic neurons.
These are the neurons most involved in attention, memory, and learning. So they light up when you remember a loved one’s face, solve a problem, or learn a new skill.
They’re also the neurons that tend to decline with age, especially in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
NGF is their lifeline.
🔥 Ageing, Memory & NGF Decline
As we grow older, levels of NGF begin to drop. And when they do, the neurons that depend on it start to wither.
Synaptic connections become weaker. Communication between brain cells slows down. Memories get harder to access.
This isn’t just theoretical. In ageing animal models, lower NGF levels correlate directly with reduced spatial memory and learning ability.
And in humans, those with lower NGF levels in cerebrospinal fluid often perform worse on memory, language, and cognition tests - especially those at risk of Alzheimer’s.
Some researchers now believe that the decline in NGF may be one of the earliest warning signs of cognitive decline.
But there’s hope, because NGF is something we can influence.
🌿 How to Support NGF Naturally
You don’t need a lab or a prescription to support NGF production. Nature’s already given us tools. And many of them align with the Mushies philosophy of living in tune with nature and the body.
Here’s what the science (and ancient wisdom) says:
🏃♂️ 1. Move Your Body
Regular physical activity, especially aerobic exercise, significantly boosts NGF in the hippocampus. This is the part of the brain that governs memory and emotional regulation. Even moderate walking, done consistently, can have profound effects.
🍫 2. Feed Your Brain
Certain nutrients have been shown to stimulate NGF, including:
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Flavonoids in dark chocolate
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Polyphenols in green tea
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Omega-3s in fatty fish
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Hericenones and Erinacines from Lion’s Mane mushroom
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Bacosides from Bacopa Monnieri (found in Mushies Coffee)
These aren’t just trendy superfoods, they’re NGF activators.
🧘♀️ 3. Manage Stress
High cortisol (the stress hormone) can suppress NGF production. But practices like meditation, breathwork, and even gardening have been shown to restore balance and boost neurotrophic factors.
🌕 4. Sleep & Circadian Health
NGF follows a rhythm. Sleep deprivation, late-night screens, and misaligned circadian patterns can throw off its balance. Getting proper rest and syncing with natural light cycles helps your brain maintain optimal NGF levels.
🍄 The Lion’s Mane Connection
One of the biggest reasons we’re so interested in NGF is because of the research showing that Lion’s Mane mushroom increases it.
At Mushies, we’re deeply passionate about Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus), and here’s why:
This shaggy, celestial-looking mushroom has been shown to directly stimulate NGF production in the brain.
Compounds like hericenones and erinacines pass through the blood-brain barrier and activate NGF synthesis, promoting neurogenesis (the birth of new neurons) and enhancing learning, memory, and mental clarity.
In other words, Lion’s Mane doesn’t just “boost the brain”. It nourishes it on a cellular level.
That’s why it’s the star of the mushroom world. Not because it’s trendy, but because it works.
The science is catching up with what ancient cultures have known for centuries: this mushroom is powerful.
🐯 The Power of Pairing: Lion’s Mane + Tiger Milk
Another mushroom we’re excited about is Tiger Milk (Lignosus rhinocerus), a rare medicinal fungus traditionally used in Southeast Asia.
What makes Tiger Milk fascinating is that it appears to mimic the effects of NGF. While Lion’s Mane stimulates NGF production directly, Tiger Milk contains compounds that act like NGF itself, binding to receptors and supporting similar pathways in the brain.
Together, Lion’s Mane and Tiger Milk form a powerful combination: one boosts NGF levels, the other reinforces NGF’s effects. It’s like having both the spark and the fuel for mental regeneration.
This synergy is one of the key reasons we launched our Brain Power Bundle, especially for those looking to support long-term cognitive health in a holistic, natural way.
🌬 Final Thoughts: A More Connected Mind
NGF may be microscopic, but its impact is profound. It helps shape your thoughts, hold your memories, and fuel your ability to learn and adapt.
In a fast world that pulls us in a thousand directions, NGF reminds us of something sacred:
Growth doesn’t stop. Connection is medicine. And the brain is alive, dynamic, and capable of renewal (just like a mushroom).
Supporting NGF is about more than just avoiding decline. It’s about choosing to nourish the roots of your being.
So whether you're sipping Lion’s Mane coffee, walking in the woods, or feeding your body with intention, know this:
You’re helping your brain stay alive in the deepest sense of the word.
Enhance your NGF production with our Brain power Bundle here.
